*/
Judges voiced concern that the government’s £1.2bn programme to modernise the courts could compromise access to justice.
In a private consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and the President of the Tribunals Service, reported in The Times newspaper, judges said that the programme, which involves court closures, online and virtual hearings and digitising paper-based services, was ‘driven by austerity and the need to achieve savings, rather than by providing an improved service for the public, the judiciary or staff’.
They said: ‘There is also a strong sense that open justice, access to justice, local justice, should not be compromised,’ stating that ‘thinking about and planning for tomorrow should not come at the expense of delivering justice in the proceedings that come before us today’.
Two weeks earlier a report from the Public Accounts Committee warned that the reforms were being pursued too quickly and without adequate consultation due to the need to make savings. It said the ‘hugely ambitious’ modernisation programme was ‘extremely challenging to deliver’ and already behind schedule.
Committee Chair, Meg Hillier said: ‘Government has cut corners in its rush to push through these reforms. The timetable was unrealistic, consultation has been inadequate and, even now, HMCTS has not clearly explained what the changes will mean in practice.’
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said it was working with the judiciary and remained confident that the programme was ‘on track to creating a better, more straightforward, accessible and efficient justice system’.
Judges voiced concern that the government’s £1.2bn programme to modernise the courts could compromise access to justice.
In a private consultation with the Lord Chief Justice and the President of the Tribunals Service, reported in The Times newspaper, judges said that the programme, which involves court closures, online and virtual hearings and digitising paper-based services, was ‘driven by austerity and the need to achieve savings, rather than by providing an improved service for the public, the judiciary or staff’.
They said: ‘There is also a strong sense that open justice, access to justice, local justice, should not be compromised,’ stating that ‘thinking about and planning for tomorrow should not come at the expense of delivering justice in the proceedings that come before us today’.
Two weeks earlier a report from the Public Accounts Committee warned that the reforms were being pursued too quickly and without adequate consultation due to the need to make savings. It said the ‘hugely ambitious’ modernisation programme was ‘extremely challenging to deliver’ and already behind schedule.
Committee Chair, Meg Hillier said: ‘Government has cut corners in its rush to push through these reforms. The timetable was unrealistic, consultation has been inadequate and, even now, HMCTS has not clearly explained what the changes will mean in practice.’
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said it was working with the judiciary and remained confident that the programme was ‘on track to creating a better, more straightforward, accessible and efficient justice system’.
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
A comparison – Dan Monaghan, Head of DWF Chambers, invites two viewpoints
And if not, why not? asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Head of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the many benefits of oral fluid drug testing for child welfare and protection matters
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Maria Scotland and Niamh Wilkie report from the Bar Council’s 2024 visit to the United Arab Emirates exploring practice development opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
Save for some high-flyers and those who can become commercial arbitrators, it is generally a question of all or nothing but that does not mean moving from hero to zero, says Andrew Hillier
